When comparing the Breville Barista Express to the Barista Pro, it’s clear that the Pro demands a significantly higher price tag—almost double that of the Express. This naturally begs the question: is it worth the investment? After a thorough head-to-head comparison, I firmly believe that spending those extra bucks on the Pro is a wise decision.
So, at nearly $1000, what does the Breville Barista Pro bring to the table compared to the Barista Express? Here are the standout features:
- Integrated Grinder: The Pro boasts an integrated grinder with more grind settings, providing greater control over the grind size and enhancing your coffee experience.
- Powerful Steam Wand: The Pro features a more powerful steam wand, allowing you to create smoother, velvety microfoam for your lattes and cappuccinos.
- Faster Heating System: Equipped with a ThermoJet heating system, the Pro heats up much faster than the Express, getting you to your coffee quicker.
- Advanced Interface: The Pro offers a more advanced and user-friendly interface, making it easier to navigate and customize your coffee drinks.
Ready to elevate your coffee game with the Breville Barista Pro? 😊
Breville Barista Express vs Barista Pro: Head-to-Head Comparison
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how these two impressive machines stack up against each other:
Breville Barista Pro
- Dimensions/Weight: 13.5 x 16.1 x 16 inches / 27.5 lbs
- Interface: Non-Touch Screen
- One Touch Drink Options: 22
- Built-in Grinder: Stainless Steel Conical Burr Grinder
- Grinding Settings: 30
- Heating System: Single ThermoJet
- Pump Pressure: 15 Bars
- Pre-Infusion: Yes
- Milk Frothing System: Manual Steam Wand
- Spigot Type/Cup Clearance: Dual / 4 inches
- Water Reservoir/Bean Hopper: 2 L / 0.25 Kg
- Filter: Yes (Optional)
- Compatible With Pre-ground Coffee: Yes
- App Connectivity: No
- User Profile: No
- Price: Not Available
Pros:
- Built-in burr grinder with 30 different settings.
- Adjustable pre-infusion.
- ThermoJet fast heating system.
- Ease of use.
Cons:
- Higher price point.
- Frequent drip tray emptying required.
Breville Barista Express
- Dimensions/Weight: 12.5 x 12.7 x 16.2 inches / 26.4 lbs
- Interface: Button-Operated
- One Touch Drink Options: 0
- Built-in Grinder: Stainless Steel Conical Burr Grinder
- Grinding Settings: 18
- Heating System: Single Thermocoil
- Pump Pressure: 15 Bars
- Pre-Infusion: Yes
- Milk Frothing System: Manual Steam Wand
- Spigot Type/Cup Clearance: Dual / 4 inches
- Water Reservoir/Bean Hopper: 2 L / 0.25 Kg
- Filter: Yes (Optional)
- Compatible With Pre-ground Coffee: Yes
- App Connectivity: No
- User Profile: No
- Price: $679.99
Pros:
- Adjustable grinder with 18 grind settings.
- Good built-in steam wand.
- Brews a tasty espresso.
- Simple to use and clean.
Cons:
- Hands-on operation takes time to learn.
- Frequent cleaning/descaling required.
Breville Barista Express vs Pro: Differences
In the showdown between the Breville Barista Express and the Barista Pro, the Pro takes the win with a score of 4-2. Let’s delve into a detailed comparison of these two machines!
Coffee Flavor & Brewing System
Winner: Breville Barista Pro
Built-in Grinder: Both the Barista Express and the Barista Pro come equipped with a built-in conical burr grinder. While it might not be the absolute best grinder out there, it gets the job done and saves you the additional expense of a standalone grinder. The Express offers 18 grind settings, which is respectable, but the Pro impresses even more with 30 settings. More grind settings mean finer control over this crucial aspect, increasing your chances of dialing in the espresso just right. The Pro also features a “Pause Grind” function, which allows you to pause the grinder at any moment to evenly distribute the coffee in the portafilter.
Portafilter: Both machines come equipped with a professional-grade 54mm portafilter and both single- and double-wall filter baskets. The portafilter feels sturdy and well-made. Double-wall baskets are great for beginners as they are forgiving, while single-wall baskets, which require more skill, yield better-tasting shots. Each machine also includes a heavy, effective tamper that attaches neatly to the machine to avoid getting lost.
Heating System
Winner: Breville Barista Pro
One of the biggest differences lies in their heating systems. The Barista Pro flaunts a Thermojet system, heating up in just 3 seconds. The Barista Express features a thermocoil system, warming up in under a minute. A benefit of the Express’s thermocoil system is its ability to heat the portafilter and the machine’s top cup warmer, but the Pro’s rapid heating is hard to beat.
Brewing System: Both machines feature pre-infusion and allow you to customize its duration. Pre-infusion gently dampens the coffee grounds under low pressure before the full brewing process begins, enhancing the flavor of your espresso shot. After pre-infusion, the machines ramp up to the full 15 bars of pressure, and both have a PID controller to maintain a stable temperature at the brew head.
Design & Convenience
Winner: Tie
Dimensions & User Interface:
- Breville Barista Express: 12.5 x 12.7 x 16.2 inches / 26.4 lbs
- Breville Barista Pro: 13.5 x 16.1 x 16 inches / 27.5 lbs
Both models sport sleek, rounded edges and are available in a stainless steel finish. The Pro’s LCD panel is easier to adjust settings, while the Express has a button-operated panel with a visible pressure gauge.
Spout Type & Cup Clearance: Both machines have dual spouts and a 4-inch cup clearance, accommodating all espresso cups and even some travel mugs. Their drip trays feature a pop-up indicator that reminds you to “empty me” when full.
Water Reservoir & Bean Hopper: Both boast spacious tanks capable of holding enough water for a couple of days. Daily filling with fresh water is recommended for the best taste. They also include a water filter to ensure high-quality water is used.
Milk Frothing System
Winner: Breville Barista Pro
Both machines use manual steam wands, but the Pro’s wand is more powerful and features a four-hole tip, steaming milk in around 45 seconds compared to the Express’s 75 seconds. Both wands are attached to a ball-shaped joint for flexible rotation and come with a high-quality stainless steel milk jug.
Drink Options & Programmability
Winner: Tie
Drink Options: Both machines brew espresso and hot water, but not a myriad of one-touch drink options.
Programmability: Both allow you to change the grind size, brew time, pre-infusion time, and water temperature. The Pro simplifies this with a dedicated menu, while the Express requires pressing and holding various button combinations.
Quick Rundown of Breville Barista Pro
Model: Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine with Grinder & Milk Frother, Espresso Maker with Seconds Heat Up, Cappuccino & Latte Machine for Home, BES878BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel
Key Features:
- Item Package Dimensions: 17.39L x 16.59W x 16.09H inches
- Item Package Weight: 27.20 pounds
- Product Type: Coffee Maker
Pros:
- Built-in Burr Grinder: Comes with 30 different settings, giving you greater control over the grind size.
- Adjustable Pre-Infusion: Allows you to customize the pre-infusion time.
- ThermoJet Fast Heating System: Heats up in seconds for quick coffee preparation.
- Ease to Use: User-friendly interface and straightforward operation.
Cons:
- On the Heavy Side: Weighs 27.20 pounds, making it less portable.
- One Boiler: Only has a single boiler, which may limit simultaneous brewing and steaming.
Quick Rundown of Breville Barista Express
Model: Breville BES870XL Coffee Maker, One Size, Brushed Stainless Steel
Key Features:
- All-in-One Solution: Part of the Barista Series, delivering third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula. It offers an integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute.
- Dose Control Grinding: The integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean.
- Optimal Water Pressure: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start, helping ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup.
- Precise Espresso Extraction: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction.
- Manual Microfoam Milk Texturing: The powerful steam wand allows you to hand texture microfoam milk, enhancing flavor and enabling the creation of coffee art at home, helping you make the perfect cup of latte or cappuccino.
Price: $749.95 (Discounted to $679.99)
Pros:
- Adjustable grinder with 18 grind settings.
- Good built-in steam wand.
- A lot of adjustable settings.
- Brews a tasty espresso.
- Simple to use and clean.
Cons:
- No milk temperature control.
- Requires trial and error to froth milk.
The Breville Barista Express offers a balanced combination of convenience, quality, and hands-on control, making it a superb choice for home baristas. ☕✨
Breville Barista Pro offers advanced features and convenience, making it a worthy investment for serious coffee enthusiasts. The Barista Express, while more affordable, still offers excellent performance and control, making it perfect for those who prefer a more hands-on approach. ☕✨
Breville Barista Pro is worth the extra investment if you want advanced features like a faster heating system, more grind settings, and a sleeker design. The Breville Barista Express, while more affordable, still offers excellent performance and is perfect for those who prefer a more hands-on approach.
Choose the one that best fits your coffee-making style and enjoy your perfect cup of espresso! ☕✨😊